Pistons' Tayshaun Prince wants to prove team is better than their record

Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince (22) and coach Lawrence Frank look at their bench as they play against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday Nov. 14, 2012 in Philadelphia. The Pistons won 94-76. (AP Photo/ H. Rumph Jr)

AUBURN HILLS -- Everyone in the Pistons organization likely feels the team is better than its 3-10 record. But to veteran Tayshaun Prince, it doesn't matter how they feel, they have to show it.

"We gotta prove that," Prince said. "Everybody is going to say they are better than their record, but we have to prove we're better than our record. If we can do that and start playing consistent, we'll show that we're better. A lot of people say, 'Are you better than our record?' And they be like, 'Yeah, we are.' But you gotta still go and prove it. Once we prove we are better than our record then people will know we are better than our record."

The Pistons will look to win two in a row for the first time this season Sunday when they take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Detroit was able to rally to defeat Toronto at home Friday night, securing the win with Brandon Knight's go-ahead layup with 7.8 seconds left.

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The one-point victory marked the first time this season Detroit won a close game. The Pistons have been on the losing end of several close games this season, but their two wins prior to Friday were by 18-plus points.

"We all came together last night," Pistons rookie Andre Drummond said after practice Saturday. "It was a tough situation and we all came together. It's the start of something new."

The Knicks (8-3) have lost two in a row after an 8-1 start.

Entering Saturday, New York was third in the league in scoring at 101.8 per game.

With Amar'e Stoudemire injured, the Knicks have used a smaller starting lineup with Carmelo Anthony at power forward, Ronnie Brewer at small forward, Tyson Chandler at center and Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton at the guard spots.

"They are small, but they're still big. Carmelo is as big as (Jason Maxiell)," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. "What they do, is they defend first. They guard the heck out of you. They really do a good job defensively. Offensively, what they've become is an outstanding ball movement team. ... Look at the shooting percentage of their guys from 3. Felton, Jason Kidd, J.R. Smith even Ronnie Brewer is (shooting) over 40 percent.

"Rasheed (Wallace) has played extremely well for them off the bench. They have a lot of weapons. They have a veteran team that knows how to play the game. Having coached Jason, it's infectious what he does to a team. All of a sudden everyone is moving the basketball and they're putting defense first.

"When you have Tyson Chandler and Jason Kidd then you surround them with the other guys. Carmelo has done an unbelievable job of playing the best well-rounded game that I've seen. He's doing it all. He defends, he shares the basketball, he's always been one of the dominant scorers in this league, but he's doing it all. He's playing an extremely well-rounded game."

New York playing well has obviously gained a lot of national attention, but Frank said playing in New York is always special.

"Regardless if the Knicks are doing well or not, it's always an event because of the tradition of basketball in the city and it's a stage," Frank said. "When you play at Madison Square Garden, for every player, it's always a little bit extra special because it's such a unique place. The history in that building, not just basketball, but some of the great fights, heck the circus goes there. Regardless if they're good or not, there's always a specialness to it."

Dave Pemberton covers the Pistons for The Oakland Press. Email him at dave.pemberton@oakpress.com and follow him on Twitter @drpemberton.